I hope this helps a little.  I taught myself watercolors after college (I used oils in college).  It mostly involves running up your waterbill and hoping for the best :)

Photos are from my Swan Lake painting.

Still planning the larger watercolor piece, I’ll be sure to take progress photos of it. 

Saw Swan Lake yesterday :)
Sketch, drawn onto watercolor paper (300lb), then started my layers of soaking it to death with water and color (yellow, red, a little green, then blue).  I’ll puddle water back on top again.  First layer or three take a couple of hours to dry so I usually do them before wandering off to do chores, etc.